Beginner question about Nitrox analyzers

[kelemvor]

Every fill station I've ever used, even in third world countries, provide an analyzer for you to use. They all require you to analyze your gas before you take the fill. You don't need your own, but it's nice to have.

The only exception to this is that I've personally encountered is in Cozumel, MX. The fill station provided tanks to the boat operator and not to me. The boat operator didn't have a fill station, so they didn't have Oxygen analyzers. From what I understand, most dive operations in Cozumel outsource their tank fills rather than running their own fill station so it's a common problem there.

I think I used the ones provided at fill stations for about a year before buying my own. I've got a cootwo because it simultaneously tests for carbon monoxide (CO). I have found CO in my tanks once, so I know it works. Cozumel also is the only dive destination I've heard of with a reputation for occasional CO problems, although I detected none when I was there.

 

[Dogbowl]

Every fill station I've ever used, even in third world countries, provide an analyzer for you to use. They all require you to analyze your gas before you take the fill. You don't need your own, but it's nice to have.

The only exception to this is that I've personally encountered is in Cozumel, MX. The fill station provided tanks to the boat operator and not to me. The boat operator didn't have a fill station, so they didn't have Oxygen analyzers. From what I understand, most dive operations in Cozumel outsource their tank fills rather than running their own fill station so it's a common problem there.

I think I used the ones provided at fill stations for about a year before buying my own. I've got a cootwo because it simultaneously tests for carbon monoxide (CO). I have found CO in my tanks once, so I know it works. Cozumel also is the only dive destination I've heard of with a reputation for occasional CO problems, although I detected none when I was there.

Good to know. Thanks! I’m going to Coz next month and it will be the place I go to most often I suspect, so if it’s more of a “need” there, then I’ll reconsider. I’m going to email my dive op and ask about their analyzer.

 

[uncfnp]

Good to know. Thanks! I’m going to Coz next month and it will be the place I go to most often I suspect, so if it’s more of a “need” there, then I’ll reconsider. I’m going to email my dive op and ask about their analyzer.

As I recall you plan to dive with 3P’s and they do have analyzers on their boats. When they use a third hired boat (peak season) it does not reliably have one (or at least didn’t) but when we requested they radioed their other boat and met them on the way to the dive site and got it for us. Another example of their customer service.

 

[Dogbowl]

As I recall you plan to dive with 3P’s and they do have analyzers on their boats. When they use a third hired boat (peak season) it does not reliably have one (or at least didn’t) but when we requested they radioed their other boat and met them on the way to the dive site and got it for us. Another example of their customer service.

Yes! Great! Thanks for letting me know.

 

[hroark2112]

I bought one for our last liveaboard trip. Makes it so much easier not waiting for other divers, not having other divers waiting for us.

I got the Maxtec 02+ Analyzer with the BC adapter. Just unplug the hose from your BC inflator, connect the analyzer and turn on the tank. Uses a minimum amount of gas to test the tank.

I will say the other divers on the liveaboard were envious

 

[BoltSnap]

I get it. I totally do. Right now, I don’t think it’s top on my priority list due to other more pressing needs (e.g. dSMB/reel, signalling devices, PLB/canister, lights, etc). I’m still trying to fill in my kit. Just bought regulator sets and BCD’s, 2x (hubby and myself). As I don’t have a trust fund I’m gonna have to buy stuff piece by piece. Since most/all LSDs/liveaboards have them, I’m gonna have to “trust them” on that one, at least for now.

Sell your TV(s), skip several meals a week, get rid of one car and you should be on your way to owning all the dive gear you will need with all of the accessories

 

[Dogbowl]

Sell your TV(s), skip several meals a week, get rid of one car and you should be on your way to owning all the dive gear you will need with all of the accessories

Yeah, seriously...I've got a whole bunch of stuff that I could get rid of, and worth a substantial amount of money that I could divert to scuba gear...anyone interested? My vintage LEGO collection, along with the biggest sets ever sold...designer handbags...If anyone has tips on how to sell my stuff I'd be happy to oblige! I don't wanna do it myself cause I gotta a lazy a$$.

 

[MargaritaMike]

As I recall you plan to dive with 3P’s and they do have analyzers on their boats.

Not always. On two separate dives (one 2-tank and one night) there wasn't one on the boat. On the day trip they borrowed one from another boat's DM. On the night dive, it was a "trust me". On the night dive I was using EAN36 so I put that in my computer and crossed my fingers. It turned out ok, I think. I had two more dives the next day and didn't get bent or convulse.
This is why I asked the question: "Which one?".

Cheers - M²

 

[uncfnp]

Not always. On two separate dives (one 2-tank and one night) there wasn't one on the boat. On the day trip they borrowed one from another boat's DM. On the night dive, it was a "trust me". On the night dive I was using EAN36 so I put that in my computer and crossed my fingers. It turned out ok, I think. I had two more dives the next day and didn't get bent or convulse.
This is why I asked the question: "Which one?".

Cheers - M²

Sorry to hear you didn’t get it when requested. As I said, when there wasn’t one on the boat and we requested it, they got one for me from their other boat. I also said that Cozumel is the one place I do take mine now. But only because I already own one. If I didn’t, I would buy it just for Cozumel, unless I had the extra money.

And yes, another trip and another well know dive op and they also had to pass the analyzer from boat to boat. Bottom line, if I requested it they made it happen. And yes, there were nitrox divers on the boats that did not analyze, even when I offered them mine. Not evey diver is as meticulous as SB divers.

 

[kelemvor]

Sell your TV(s), skip several meals a week, get rid of one car and you should be on your way to owning all the dive gear you will need with all of the accessories

No, then he'll realize he still needs a pair of $15,000 rebreathers and a pair of $10,000 scooters (you have to have redundancy, you know).

It might be worth checking ebay or the scubaboard classifieds for a used nitrox analyzer if the cost is off-putting. The sensor its-self is a consumable item you have to replace every few years. Therefore, you may need to find a replacement sensor. The sensors run about $125 so if you buy used, factor that cost in.